>> Register at camp.novastem.us/enroll (goes live Tuesday Jan 17 at 10am)

Overview, Schedule, Camp Descriptions and FAQs

At NOVA SySTEMic, we have the most exciting and educational summer STEM camps in Northern Virginia! Led by STEM teachers and college students enrolled in STEM programs, our STEM Camp program introduces Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math to thousands of grade-school students. 

This summer we offer the following camps:

• Coding Elementary School (rising 3^rdto 5^thgrade)
• STEM ES (rising 4^thto 5^thgrade)
• STEM MS (rising 6^thto 8^thgrade)
• STEM HS (rising 9^thto 12^thgrade)
• VEX IQ Robotics (rising 4^thto 8^thgrade)
• VEX IQ Challenge: Ringmaster (rising 5^thto 8^thgrade)
• VEX 1 Robotics (rising 6^thto 10^thgrade)
• VEX 2 Robotics (rising 7^thto 10^thgrade)
• Arduino (rising 7^thto 10^thgrade)
• Rocketry (rising 7^thto 12^thgrade)
• Cybersecurity 1 (rising 9^thto 12^thgrade)
• Cybersecurity Basic & Advanced (rising 9^thto 12^thgrade)

>> Full summer camp descriptions are on our website STEM Camp Page <<

Camps are focused on hands-on, project-based learning that provides students with excellent opportunities to begin exploring STEM fields and to chart a course for future STEM education and workforce opportunities.

Highlights

• One-week camps are only $315.
• Camps are offered at many of our NOVA Campuses, at schools in Falls Church City, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William counties and Alexandria.
• Camps run from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • NEW: Childcare available 7:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
• $25 per week for either, $50 per week for both.
• Discounts: Multi-Child ($50), Multi-Camp ($50), NOVA/Micron/Oath Employees ($25)

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are your camps located?

We offer camps in Prince William County, Loudoun County, Fairfax County, Arlington/Alexandria/Falls Church. 

What are your camp hours?

Camp hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  

How do I sign up or review my registration?

On our camp website we have links to the registration site for new or returning users. Please visit http://www.nvcc.edu/systemic/camps.html

Who should I contact with questions?

Please contact a regional coordinatoror the main office systemic@nvcc.edu

Do you have a waitlist?

Yes. Please add your child to the waitlist on the registration website if you would like to enroll in a camp that is full. Some camps have long waitlists with 60+ students and others have 1 or 2. We do our best to find every student an opportunity. No deposit is required to join the waitlist.

Do you offer before and after care?

Yes, we do. We have before care starting at 7:45am for $25/week, and after care ending at 5:30pm for another $25/week. Students in before or after care should bring a book to read. When possible we will have a few self-directed activities available for students to use, but no instruction is provided.

Is STEM camps a suitable environment for kids with special needs?

Yes and No. We utilize certified teachers who have experience making accommodations for students; however, many of our summer camps are fast-paced, occur in a loud hands-on environment and require group work and high social interaction. You know your child best and some camps may work well and others may not. Please contact us at systemic@nvcc.eduto discuss.

When is the parent showcase?

Parent showcase takes place the last Friday of camp.  Our goal is to give time for the students to show their parents what they learned at camp. The students are needed for the rest of the day to break down and resort the equipment which takes time. Lunch will be provided for campers only.  An email will be sent out with more information regarding the time of the event depending on the camp.  After the presentation, parents may leave and return at 4:00pm for pick-up.

What if I need to change a camp registration, date or location?

Please contact your regional coordinatoror email systemic@nvcc.edu. We will do our best to get your student in a camp that meets your schedule.

What is your student-to-staff ratio?

Depending on the camp, typically we achieve a ratio of 1 teacher per 10 students. 

Can you make an age or experience exception?

We strongly discourage making exceptions. Students are grouped with peers in such a way to optimize their camp experience. Students without the necessary maturity or experience for a higher or more advanced camp tend to struggle to enjoy it.

Do you use Mac or Windows at STEM camp?

We use laptops with Windows operating system for most camps but some use iPads.

Are meals provided?

Students bring their own lunch and snacks every day. On the last day of camp we provide lunch.

How do you support students with food allergies/special dietary needs at camp?

During the registration process there is an option to designate a student as having allergies or special dietary needs and we will accordingly provide a special lunch on the last day of camp for that student.

How would my 6th grader work with a 12th grader? Would they be paired together?

We pair according to age group as much as possible.

Do you provide transportation to the camps?

No, unfortunately not. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to arrange for transportation to and from camp.

When are parents allowed to be in the classroom?

We understand parents may want to visit the classroom that their students will be at on the first day. While we encourage parents to drop-off and pick-up curbside, you are able to park and walk your child to class. Each camp will have a parent showcase on the last day where parents may visit the camp to see what students accomplished throughout the week. Please see the camp description to find specific showcase times. Parents are not permitted to be in the class during regular camp hours.

What is the policy on electronic devices?

Devices are approved by the instructor for emergency purposes or documentation use. Students may use their phones during lunch, planned breaks and before or after camps at their discretion. Students are responsible for their own devices.

What if my child has an appointment during camp?

Please contact the coordinator and/or the camp director. If you need assistance finding out who this is please contact systemic@nvcc.edu

Can my child miss the first day of camp?

We strongly discourage it, because that is when partners are formed and the fundamentals of camp are set. Ultimately we do allow students to miss a day if there is no alternative.

What is your cancellation policy?

Camp fees are refundable up until May 31 minus the $50 registration fee. Cancellations after May 31 may be granted a partial refund if their spot can be filled before camp starts. There are no refunds for cancellations within 7 days of the start of camp. We do our best to place students in a new camp in case of illness or other family emergency. 

Our registration system, Active, also offers optional cancellation insurance which can be purchased during check out. Cancellations for covered reasons will be honored through this cancellation insurance.

My child is not happy with his/her partner, can he/she change partners?

We encourage teams or groups to try and work it out with the instructor’s assistance. Part of the benefit of hands-on project based learning is developing collaboration and communication skills. Some students struggle in this area and it can be difficult, please contact your coordinator and/or camp director.

Can my child volunteer for camp as an instructor?  

Absolutely!  We are looking for volunteers that are 14 and older.  Please contact your regional coordinator for more information.  

What is the cost of your summer camp?

Most one week camps are $315 per week except for our two week VEX 2 camp that cost $450 for the whole camp. We also help a few other organizations run camps occasionally and those prices may vary.

What is your Tax ID #?

Our fiscal agent for camps is the Northern Virginia Community College. TAX ID # 54-1268263; mailing address associated is 3924 Pender Drive, Suite 170, Fairfax, VA 22030 

Do you offer financial aid or scholarships?

We strive to make our camps affordable and accessible to as many students as possible in NOVA’s service area. If you need assistance in getting your child enrolled in camp please contact us at systemic@nvcc.eduor the main office at: 703-530-3505.

Do you have any discounts/coupons?

We offer several discounts described below. To receive the automatic discounts, all registrations must be included in a single transaction.

• Multi-Sibling, an automatic $50 discount is applied at check out.
• Multi- Camp, an automatic $50 discount is applied at check out.
• $25 Discount for employees of Micron/Oath/NOVA. Please contact systemic@nvcc.edu if you need assistance with these.